Eden News

Eden Springs Acquires La Valoise in Switzerland

Eden Springs, Europe's leading brand for workplace water solutions, is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement to purchase La Valoise, a regional player in Switzerland's water cooler market.

La Valoise's client base, some 600 customers primarily in Swiss-Romande, will be integrated into Eden's existing distribution network, and served from the Dorénaz source in Valais. "It is part of Eden's corporate philosophy to provide clients with a local service and source, and the advantages of a national-scale provider," explained Jean-Marc Bolinger, Managing Director of Eden Springs Switzerland.

According to Mr. Bolinger, the acquisition of La Valoise's clients will help increase the density of Eden's customer base in Swiss-Romande, "further enabling us to improve our distribution efficiency."

For more information please contact:
Mark Reimer
Marketing Manager
Eden Springs (Europe) SA
Chemin du Trési 9,
1028 Préverenges,
Switzerland
+41.21.811.25.92
mark.reimer@edensprings.com

Eden Acquires Bodega Natural in Spain

Eden Springs, Europe's leading brand for workplace water solutions, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Bodega Natural, a regional player in Spain's water cooler market.

Bodega Natural, which is located in the Castilla-La Mancha region of Spain, has some 2300 customers with branches in Toledo, Albacete, Tomelloso and Puertollano. According to the terms of the deal, Eden's existing customers in the area will be added to Bodega Natural's distribution network, and the company will be rebranded to Eden.

According to Antonio Alarcon, Director of Eden Springs Spain: "This deal provides us with an existing distribution network in a region which we previously serviced from our Madrid branch. The move will allow us to improve the quality of service we offer to our clients, and the increased customer base density from integrating Bodega Natural's customers will improve Eden's operating efficiencies."

For more information please contact:
Mark Reimer
Marketing Manager
Eden Springs (Europe) SA
Chemin du Trési 9,
1028 Préverenges,
Switzerland
+41.21.811.25.92
mark.reimer@edensprings.com

Eden Aquires Société Weram in France

Eden Springs, Europe's leading brand for workplace water solutions, is pleased to announce the purchase of Société Weram, a regional player in France's water cooler market.

Weram was established in 1996, and is located in the Alsace region of France, with some 1000 bottle-fed cooler customers and 170 plumbed-in systems. These clients will be integrated with Eden's existing operations in the region, and serviced from the Strasbourg branch, which operates under the Chateaudeau brand.

According to Chateaudeau Managing Director Nicolas Milesi, "This acquisition doubles the size of our customer base in the region, which will permit us to improve our operating efficiencies and further improve our level of service to customers in Alsace."

For more information please contact:
Mark Reimer
Marketing Manager
Eden Springs (Europe) SA
Chemin du Trési 9,
1028 Préverenges,
Switzerland
+41.21.811.25.92
mark.reimer@edensprings.com

Eden Springs and Aproz Source Minerales Sign a Partnership Agreement

Eden Springs, the Swiss market leader in water coolers and Aproz Source Minerales, largest Swiss producer of bottled mineral water, have signed a partnership agreement concerning the bottling of still and lightly carbonated water in 0.5, 0.75 and 1.5l bottles, as well as the water cooler activities of Aproz.

As of January 2008, Eden will offer customers in Switzerland still and lightly carbonated water in bottles of 0.5l and 1.5l, in addition to the 0.75l bottles currently on offer. These products will help expand the Eden product range which has previously been focused on water coolers, both bottle-fed and plumbed-in systems connected directly to the municipal water supply. The agreement comes as part of Eden's decision to position itself as a supplier of all forms of water solutions in the workplace.

In searching for a partner for the production of the small-pack bottles, Eden was naturally interested in Aproz, which is located only 30 km from its own bottling site of 19l bottles for water coolers in Dorénaz, Valais. "We were looking for a partner with a strong national presence, and we found that in Aproz" explains Jean-Marc Bolinger, Managing Director of Eden Springs Switzerland.

"For us, a local partner was extremely important, for reasons of corporate philosophy, but also for ecological and logistic reasons", continued Mr. Bolinger. "We can therefore transport 19l bottles for water coolers and small-pack bottles in the same trucks and on the same routes."

For Aproz, the deal proved interesting because it presents a growth opportunity for the company. "We were not really present in the B2B sector that Eden covers," explained Michel Charbonnet, Director of Aproz Sources Minerales. "Now we will be able to increase our production and Eden will handle the distribution under its own brand to its existing client base."

At the same time, Eden will take over the service of Aproz's water cooler activities, some 700 clients, primarily in the Swiss-Romande region. "For us it represents a small market of less than 1 million litres per year," explain Mr. Charbonnet. "In order to offer our customers the best possible service, it makes sense that both our companies concentrate on its area of expertise. We are very pleased to have reached such an agreement with Eden."

For more information please contact:
Mark Reimer
Marketing Manager
Eden Springs (Europe) SA
+41.21.811.25.92
mark.reimer@edensprings.com

Eden forms Charitable partnership with Unicef

Eden is pleased to announce the formation of a partnership with UNICEF, in sponsorship of a water project in Africa. This partnership will not only support UNICEF’s efforts in a field that is closely related to Eden’s core business, it will also help raise awareness of the critical water issues facing our planet.

1.2 billion people in 60 countries worldwide have insufficient access to clean drinking water. The consequences for children are catastrophic: diarrhoea, unhealthy nutrition, insufficient body growth, and death. Every year 1.5 million children die of diarrhoea before they turn 5. The reason: no drinkable water, no access to sanitary installations and hygiene. UNICEF concentrates its efforts on the countries where the lack of drinkable water has the worst consequences on children’s survival.

To demonstrate support for UNICEF’s efforts, Eden Springs Europe has agreed to donate 100,000€ to a rural water system project in Somalia, Africa, a country particularly affected since the collapse of its national government in 1991.

Owing to its arid climate, Somalia relies heavily on deep boreholes as water sources in rural areas. These boreholes require generator-driven submersible pumps to extract the water. The systems are complex and difficult for rural Somali communities to maintain. The first stage of the project is in the town of Gardo, with a population of 36,000 people plus an estimated 1000 destitute families living on the town’s outskirts. These families depend on the assistance of UNICEF to provide them with water free of charge, as much as 10,000 liters a day!

To provide a clean, sustainable, potable water supply for all citizens, UNICEF works with the local representative of the state Agency for Water and Natural Resources to establish sufficient water infrastructures to eliminate human suffering and hazards caused by the scarcity of water.

With the financial support of Eden, UNICEF will be able to:

1. Drill new boreholes in the most needed locations to ensure that people and their livestock get regular clean drinking water.
2. Expand the existing water supply system in Gardo via a 15 km long water supply network with household connections and 4 public water kiosks.
3. Ensure that adequate water storage facilities are in place and functional, including a 150cbm elevated storage tank and 3 smaller tanks.
4. Provide training to both technical and administrative staff to improve their performance and skills.
5. Establish a well-equipped workshop for the maintenance/repair of water equipment.

Project Supported by the European Union

All funds donated or collected by Eden will be augmented by the European Union. This project falls in the framework of a collaboration program on development projects between the European Union and UNICEF. For every € collected by UNICEF for this project, the European Union will donate an additional 3€. The collaboration will therefore join efforts, enhance results and maximize impact for the project.

For more information about this project please visit www.edensprings.com

Or contact:
Mark Reimer
Marketing Manager
Eden Springs (Europe) SA
+41.21.811.25.92
mark.reimer@edensprings.com

Eden Springs Ltd. purchases 100% of the Danone Springs of Eden ('DSE')

The Danone Springs of Eden (‘DSE’) is a joint-venture between Eden Springs Ltd. and Danone Group. Currently, Danone holds 58% of the company’s shares, and Eden Springs the other 42%. This joint-venture was founded in 2003, with the objective of creating a leader in Europe’s HOD business.

Today DSE is Europe’s leading bottled water brand for water coolers. The company is present in 16 countries, with over 120 branches, 2000 employees and has an annual turnover of more than 200 million Euros.

The shareholders of Danone Springs of Eden have reached a strategic decision, whereby Danone will sell its shares in the joint-venture to Eden Springs Ltd. As a result, Eden Springs Ltd. will assume 100% ownership of the company. The deal will take effect on July 12th, 2007.

According to Roni Naftali, founder of Eden Springs Ltd. and chairman of the Danone Springs of Eden board of directors, Danone’s decision to sell its stake in the business creates an opportunity for Eden Springs Ltd. to capitalize on the existing management and company experience that has been gained from running the European operations.

"Eden Springs is a company that we built and managed during the last several years according to the spirit and values of our brand. By completing the purchase and taking full ownership we are further committing ourselves to develop the brand and the value for the shareholders."

For more information please contact:
Mark Reimer
Marketing Manager
Eden Springs (Europe) SA
Chemin du Trési 9
1610 Préverenges,
Switzerland
+41.21.811.25.50
mark.reimer@edensprings.com

Eden Springs opens a branch office in Łódź

In response to customer demand, Eden Springs, one of the leading suppliers of 18.9 bottled spring water for home and office, has opened a new office in Łódź. Thus, the total number of the company’s offices reached ten. The office in Łódź offers services for clients from the Łódź region and a part of the Mazowieckie province.

"Our offer is addressed both to businesses of all sizes and to individual clients. The Łódzkie province is characterized by a high growth dynamic, which made an impact on our company as well. That is why we focused on organic growth, which will enable us to reach our current and potential clients directly. Employers are increasingly aware of the importance of ensuring suitable working conditions to employees, therefore they are increasingly well-disposed to considering the idea of providing them with access to fresh water at their offices. And the research says that proper hydration facilitates concentration and results in wellbeing at work. That is why we are expecting a large number of new contracts", says Robert Ziemba, the director of the newly-launched Eden Springs office in Łódź.

The office employs qualified employees and is equipped with a car fleet and warehouse facilities, which ensure effective distribution to all clients. "We expect that we will be able to offer new jobs to people from the Łódzkie province in the nearest future", says Robert Ziemba.

The water supplied by Eden Springs to the residents of the Łódzkie province comes from the spring in Krzeszowice - a spa resort located in the ecological and remarkably clean region of Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska. It is supplied in 18.9 l bottles including special dispensers (also available in colors). Eden Springs offers a global client service - the company supplies homes and offices with water on a regular basis, also ensuring a proper quality and sanitization of appliances.

Eden's efforts in acquiring new clients are aided by an advertising campaign on billboards and in local newspapers.

In addition to the Łódź branch, Eden Springs has offices in Kraków, Warszawa, Bydgoszcz, Tricity, Poznań, Katowice, Wrocław, Gorzów Wielkopolski and Zielona Góra.

More information about the company at www.eden.pl

The Eden Springs Group is a leading supplier of 18.9 l bottled water in Europe. The company’s clients include businesses and institutions in 16 countries, including Switzerland, France, Spain, UK and Poland. Eden is held in high esteem in all the countries and is associated with excellent consumer service. Eden Springs has been present in Poland since 1997. It is one of the pioneers of promoting high market standards. The company employs 450 people, owns three bottling plants and operates through 36 distribution centers covering the entire territory of Poland

Additional information:
Zofia Kurek
Sigma International (Poland)
+ 48 22 628 04 88 ext. 104
+48 606 824 154
fax: +48 22 629 96 14
e-mail: zofia.kurek@sigma.com.pl

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Eden Springs UK acquires Thirsty Work assets

Eden Springs UK, the number two company in the UK HOD market, is pleased to announce it has acquired the operating assets of Thirsty Work Watercoolers Limited.

Thirsty Work presently services 42,000 customers located primarily in southern and central England. Thirsty Work is active in both the bottled water and plumbed-in water cooler business. The company has experienced rapid growth over the past several years and is now considered the number three company in the market.

The acquisition of the Thirsty Work assets will significantly increase the density of Eden Springs' customer base allowing it to improve its operating efficiencies and customer service levels.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Big changes on the spring water delivery market in western Poland

Eden Springs Poland, a leading office and home spring water supplier, takes over Ekol Wod customer service.

An acquisition agreement was signed in April between mineral water distributor Zachodnie Centrum Dystrybucji Wody Mineralnej EKOL-WOD and Eden Springs Poland. Pursuant to the Agreement Eden Springs Poland takes over the servicing (spring water deliveries, service, and hiring of devices) of all to-date customers of Ekol-Wod. Thus, the number of points serviced by Eden will increase from 80,000 to 90,000.

"Increasing the customer base by means of acquisitions is part of our development strategy", says Andrzej Piotrowski, General Manager of Eden Springs Poland. "We wanted to strengthen our position in an important region, where our presence was not very strong before. For quite a long time we were looking for suitable opportunities - we are very pleased that we have reached agreement with such a known brand on that market. It is a big transaction on which we pin hopes for expanding our operations in western Poland."

The HOD (Home & Office Delivery) market, has been developing in Poland since the beginning of the 1990s. Corporate customers form the largest group of its buyers, accounting for 90% of all buyers. The remaining part consists of individual customers. Such a big disproportion is characteristic for the Polish market. By comparison, in the US, these proportions are 50% - 50%.

The strongest position on the Polish market belongs to companies operating all over Poland. On regional markets, however, they compete with local suppliers who do not have such an advanced infrastructure and service smaller distribution regions.

Eden Springs Poland is part of the Eden Springs Group operating in 17 European countries. In Poland, it is a pioneer setting quality standards in service and production in many aspects of the HOD segment. As an expression of care for customer comfort a comprehensive service system based on advanced IT solutions was introduced, the system of food health safety HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) was introduced and the program of regular sanitization of devices was launched. Eden Springs is also an initiating member of the Polish branch of EBWA - the European Bottled Watercooler Association.

Eden Springs Poland is a subsidiary of Danone Springs of Eden, a leading European supplier of 19-litre bottle spring water. The Company's product range available in a dozen or so European countries includes a wide range of services related to the deliveries of spring water and water dispensers to households and offices.

The Eden brand has been present on the Polish market since 1997. In Poland, Eden Springs Poland uses the springs located near national and landscape parks, with the main spring being in Krzeszowice in the Kraków-Cz?stochowa Jurassic. Its bottling plants are the only ones in Poland having the NSF certification and are operating in accordance with the HACCP system. The Company employs more than 400 people and operates through seven branches and a network of 20 dealers all over Poland.

Contact for the press:

Karina Grygielska
Tel. 022 - 628 04 88 ext. 115
email: karina.grygielska@sigma.com.pl

Beata Sobczyk
Sigma International Poland
Tel. 022 - 628 04 88 ext. 100
Mobile: 0608 314 661
email: beata.sobczyk@sigma.com.pl

Eden Springs Poland - further investments on the spring water market in western Poland

Eden Springs Poland, a leading home and office spring water supplier is launching a new bottling plant in Grodzisk Wielkopolski.

A new bottling plant of Eden Springs Poland, a leading producer and supplier of spring water in 19-litre bottles, was officially opened in Grodzisk Wielkopolski. "The investment will make it possible to optimize logistics in western Poland where we are steadily strengthening our position," says Andrzej Piotrowski, General Manager of Eden Springs Poland. "Western Poland is our largest region. Therefore, we want to bring production closer to that market and develop our potential."

The opening of a new bottling plant on leased land has already cost more than PLN 800,000 and required the employment of a dozen or so people. The scheduled output of the new bottling plant is about 50 million litres a year, which is to account for 40% of the entire output of the company. To secure Eden Springs Poland's quality standards the HACCP** quality system is being introduced in the plant which is to be subjected, in addition to Polish sanitary authorities, also to the supervision of the NFS*** international organization.

The new bottling plant is located in Grodzisk Wielkopolski. Like the already operating bottling plants in Krzeszowice (Ma?opolska region) and Kotu? (Mazowsze region), the new plant is situated on an ecologically clean area, which secures high quality of water.

"The HOD market in Poland develops very energetically. Each year we record significant growth of sales. We can say already now that the 2006 revenues will exceed PLN 100 million. This means more than a 20% growth when compared with 2005," says Andrzej Piotrowski. "Our investments provide a response to an increased demand for our services - and we want to develop them."

** Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System
*** National Sanitary Foundation

Eden Springs Poland is a subsidiary of Danone Springs of Eden, a leading European supplier of 19-litre bottle spring water. The Company's product range available in a dozen or so European countries includes a wide range of services related to the deliveries of spring water and water dispensers to households and offices. The Eden brand has been present on the Polish market since 1997. In Poland, Eden Springs Poland uses the springs located near national and landscape parks, with the main spring being in Krzeszowice in the Kraków-Cz?stochowa Jurassic. Its bottling plants are the only ones in Poland having the NSF certification and are operating in accordance with the HACCP system. The Company employs more than 400 people and operates through seven branches and a network of 20 dealers all over Poland.

For more information, please contact:

Contact for the press:
Beata Sobczyk
Sigma International Poland
Tel. 022 - 628 04 88 ext. 100
Mobile: 0608 314 661
email: beata.sobczyk@sigma.com.pl

Eden Springs UK (ESUK) acquires Quench Water Systems

Eden Springs UK, the UK's second biggest water cooler distributor, Is pleased to announce the acquisition of UK based Quench Water Systems.

Quench Water Systems is a West-country based water cooler business, formed in 2003 by Fred Cairns Palmer. Most clients are based in Gloucester and the South West, which will fit comfortably with distribution from Eden Spring's Tewkesbury branch.

Eden has acquired around 2,400 coolers as part of the deal, including around 1,000 point of use contracts.

Eden Springs UK Commercial Director Graeme Caruthers commented: "We are delighted with the acquisition of Quench Water Systems, as this deal will greatly increase the density of Eden Springs' customer base in the South West. As a result, we will be able to improve our distribution efficiency and provide an even higher level of service to our customers."

Quench will retain its Watercoolers Direct business, an internet based water cooler sales business which retains maintenance contracts. The company has already sold around 2500 coolers and maintains vending contracts with clients such as the University of Birmingham. "We are very pleased with the deal. We can continue to grow our Watercoolers Direct business, taking it as far as we can," revealed Managing Director Fred Cairns Palmer

In a separate deal, Eden Springs UK has also acquired the HOD business of Wye Spring Water Trading, a family owned water cooler and natural mineral water HOD company which operates within the M25 area in the South East of England.

Wye Spring Water has been supplying water coolers and natural mineral water to homes and businesses since the 1980s. Water is supplied from the Blenheim Estate at Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

Eden Springs UK is a subsidiary of Danone Springs of Eden (DSE), a leading European supplier of 19-litre bottle spring water to homes and offices. DSE is currently active in 16 European markets. The Eden brand has been present in the UK market since 2004, servicing more than 125,000 customers from a network of 17 branches and three water sources located in West Hyde, Hertfordshire, Eden Valley, and Blantyre, Scotland.

Contact for the press:
Graeme Caruthers Commercial Director
Eden Springs UK
3 Livingston Boulevard,
Hamilton IT Park, Blantyre G72 0BP
+44.1698.39.25.00

Eden Springs UK (ESUK) acquires Southwater Enterprises Limited (T/A 'Aquarius Water Coolers)

Eden Springs UK, the country's second largest home and office water distribution company, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Southwater Enterprises (T/A 'Aquarius Water Coolers'). 'Aquarius' is a HOD company based in Broxborne, Hertfordshire and services approximately 640 customers.

This acquisition will increase the company's presence in London and the South East of England, increasing route density and operating efficiencies. Over the next few weeks the customers of Aquarius will be integrated into Eden Springs' customer base in the region.

"This acquisition exhibits our ongoing commitment to the growth of the business," says Acting Managing Director Robert Kitely. "It also demonstrates the confidence our shareholders have in our ability to successfully integrate acquired companies."

Eden Springs UK is a subsidiary of Danone Springs of Eden (DSE), a leading European supplier of 19-litre bottle spring water to homes and offices. DSE is currently active in 16 European markets. The Eden brand has been present in the UK market since 2004, servicing more than 125,000 customers from a network of 17 branches and three water sources located in West Hyde, Hertfordshire, Eden Valley, and Blantyre, Scotland.

Contact for the press:
Graeme Caruthers Commercial Director
Eden Springs UK
3 Livingston Boulevard,
Hamilton IT Park, Blantyre G72 0BP
+44.1698.39.25.00

Eden Springs (Espana) SA acquires Montana Azul in Spain

Eden Springs (Espana) SA, subsidiary of the Danone Springs of Eden, is pleased to announce that it successfully completed the acquisition of the Montana Azul Company, becoming leader in the HOD business in Spain. Montana Azul is exclusively involved in the HOD business and is located in several regions, with its Headquarter based in Madrid. The company services a base of 23 000 customers, generating a turnover of ? 7,000,000.

Montana Azul is a fast growing company, which business will be incorporated into the Eden Springs (Espana) SA operations to increase it's customer density and distribution efficiencies.

The Danone Springs of Eden completed the Prevital's company acquisition and enters the HOD direct distribution in Italy under the Eden brand

The Danone Springs of Eden is pleased to announce that it successfully completed the acquisition of the Prevital Company, entering the HOD direct distribution in Italy. Prevital services a base of 4'600 customers in the Milano area and is exclusively involved in the HOD business.

Eden Springs UK Acquires Office Refreshments

Eden Springs UK is pleased to announce that it has acquired the Office Refreshments Co. Office Refreshments is a HOD company which was formed in 1996. The company is based in central London and presently services approximately 4600 customers in the London metropolitan area.

Office Refreshments has earned a reputation of providing its customers with excellent service. The acquisition of the company will enhance Eden's density, distribution efficiency and profitability in the London market.

The company has also developed an expertise in servicing the residential (private) market which will be very beneficial as Eden UK expands its sales and marketing efforts into this large but virtually untapped market.

Eden Springs UK Acquires Premier Pure

Eden Springs UK, the HOD market leader in Scotland, is pleased to announce it has acquired the 52% interest of the Premier Pure Company that it did not already own. Premier Pure is a HOD company based in Aberdeen, Scotland. Founded in 1996 the Company has developed a customer base of over 6200 customers located throughout Scotland.

Premier Pure is known for its innovative sales and marketing programs and has earned a reputation for providing excellent service to its customers. The Company has recently started developing the residential water cooler market through its Home Water Cooler division. Premier Pure is also active in the Point of Use (POU) segment of the industry and has developed an expertise in the distribution of single serve bottles to commercial customers.

The acquisition of Premier Pure will significantly increase the density of Eden Springs' customer base in the Scottish market. This will enable Eden Springs UK to improve its distribution efficiency and provide a higher level of service to its customers.

Eden Springs group enters the Danish HOD market

with the acquisition of Rent A Cooler Denmark, which was part of the Carlsberg group. Rent A Cooler Denmark is the co-leader of the Danish HOD market with its base in Copenhagen and a presence throughout the country. The company was part of the Rent A Cooler group, which Eden acquired from Carlsberg in early 2002.

Carlsberg had an option to sell Rent A Cooler Denmark to Eden, which it exercised on December 20, 2002.

For Eden Springs, the entry into Denmark ensures a leadership presence in all Nordic markets (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia).

It will also allow us to centralize regionally some services and gain in efficiency.

Groupe DANONE and EDEN SPRINGS have signed an agreement to create a joint venture, bringing together both groups' current and future HOD activities in Europe

Initially, Groupe DANONE will hold a 53.2% stake in the new organisation (50% of the voting rights). Furthermore, Groupe DANONE has an option to acquire 100% of the company's capital, which it may invoke as from 1st January 2008.

Present in 18 countries, the joint venture will have the widest geographical coverage in the sector, with n°1 positions in 11 of the market's most dynamic countries (France, Spain, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Sweden.) and strong local positions in Germany, UK, Italy and Poland. It will operate more than 350,000 coolers and will hold a 20% share of the European market.

The joint venture will be based in Lausanne, Switzerland, and managed by Mike Hecker, currently general manager of EDEN SPRINGS Europe, and the current board.

Created 5 years ago, Swiss-based EDEN SPRINGS has become a major player in the European HOD market. Its growth is founded on recognised operational expertise (notably in distribution and services) and ability to deploy and replicate a proven business model locally.

Groupe DANONE is the world leader in the HOD, with number one positions in volume in America and Asia.

Drawing on the combined strength and experience of the two groups, the new organisation will be in a position to rapidly develop its HOD activities to their full potential, in the most dynamic segment of the European bottled water market.

Danone Springs of Eden acquires Fresh & Cool Gmbh and becomes the "Co-Leader" in the German HOD (Home & Office Delivery) market

Danone Springs of Eden, the Joint Venture between Group Danone and Eden Springs, has acquired the full share capital of Fresh & Cool Gmbh, the number 2 HOD (Home & Office Delivery) company in Germany.

Based near Düsseldorf, Fresh & Cool serves over 13'000 clients out of 5 distribution facilities located in Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Hamburg. Additionally Fresh & Cool operates a bottling facility near Düsseldorf. The company employs 125 people and has been the fastest growing HOD (Home & Office Delivery) company in the German market, enjoying 28 % growth this year.

Danone Springs of Eden operations in Germany include Pur Aqua, Watercooler 24 and Vivaqa, all acquired in the last 12 months. With this acquisition Danone Springs of Eden becomes the market co-leader in Germany and will consolidate its activities under one operation working under the Eden brand, having a nation wide distribution and its HQ in Düsseldorf.

Danone Springs of Eden, based in Lausanne (Préverenges), is the European No 2 HOD player active in 18 European countries.

Eden Springs (UK) acquires Water Waiter in the UK

Eden Springs (UK) is pleased to announce that it successfully completed the acquisition of the Water Waiter Company. The company was involved exclusively in the HOD business. Water Waiter was based in Kettering, Northampton approximately 100 kilometres northwest of Central London.

The company serviced a base of 2200 customers located throughout the midlands, generating a turnover of ? 1,500,000 (2003 estimate).

Water Waiter is a highly profitable and growing company, which had earned a reputation for excellence customer service. The business will be incorporated into the operations of Eden's southern region and will provide for increased customer density and distribution efficiencies.

Eden Springs acquires from the Carlsberg Group the HOD bottled water activities in Sweden, Norway, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania

Eden Springs, the European leader of the HOD (Home Office Delivery) bottled water market consolidates its leadership position with the acquisition of the Scandinavian and Baltic market leader Rent A Cooler (RAC), a subsidiary of the Carlsberg Group.

RAC, which is based in Helsingborg - Sweden, is the pioneer of the HOD market in Europe, having started the activity in 1988 as part of the Ramlosa Group - the leading mineral water brand in Scandinavia. RAC owns and operates 2 water sources, serves approximately 35'000 clients, and employs 157 people. The transaction amount is valued at EUR 28 Mio.

With this acquisition Eden Springs consolidates its leadership position having strong market presence in 12 European countries (Estonia, France, Greece, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine) and serving approximately 300'000 clients.

Eden Springs and Carlsberg are in negotiation concerning Eden's possible acquisition of Rent A Cooler Denmark.

Eden Springs has acquired 55% of Finnish HOD market leader Blue Nature Oy

Blue Nature was formed through the merger of the 2 leading HOD companies in Finland and holds a strong position on the Finnish HOD market share. In late 2001 the company also started operating in the Berlin market.

The Finnish market shows the fastest growth rates in the Nordic markets and enjoys high revenues due to a strong economy and quality construction of the market in terms of service and pricing. The estimated amount of coolers on the market is around 12'000 with a 35% annual growth rates.

With this market entry and acquisition Eden Springs consolidates its leadership position in the Nordic markets as well as gains additional talented management. We view Finland as a strong growth market and as a very profitable market.

Eden Springs France has acquired Triple A, a joint venture between Alps based in San Francisco and Greiner based in Austria, with activities in Central France based in the city of Clermont-Ferrand

This acquisition is the third Eden Springs has done in France and allows Eden to be present in Clermont-Ferrand area which was not served before. Triple A serves over 2500 clients and sources its water with the Tessieres source.

Eden Springs plans to convert the clients to the Eden brand and to further develop the region pursuing the leadership position of the company in the area

Eden Springs has acquired the Norwegian HOD market leader Hygoform Kildevann AS

The acquisition was done through Eden's subsidiary -Rent a Cooler Norway who is the co-leader of the Norwegian HOD market-. This will ensure for Eden Springs a strong market presence and leadership on the Norwegian water market. Hygoform Kildevann AS initiated the HOD market in Norway in 1994 and enjoys the fruit of being the first company on the market by having good client base and prices.

Hygoform Kildevann client portfolio is concentrated in Oslo with branch offices in Bergen, Stavanger and Trondheim. Additionally the company has a client portfolio in Stockholm -Sweden- which will be absorbed by Eden Springs Sweden.

Eden Springs acquired the clients of Vivaqua GmbH based in Berlin

Eden Springs made an important move to become a strong player on the German market with the acquisition of Vivaqua client base. Having 1'600 clients in Berlin, many of which are leading banks and corporate headquarters, Vivaqua enjoys a premium positioning on the market with excellent revenue per client, also coming from the use of the Starck cooler. Eden Springs will integrate Vivaqua operation together with the start up activity it acquired with the Blue Nature deal in Finland. All employees of Vivaqua will be integrated to Eden and the brand will be changed to Eden before year end.

Eden Springs increases its shareholding of Aqua 2000 Barcelona

Eden Springs raised its share in Aqua 2000 to 50.1% by acquiring additional 25.1%.

Aqua 2000, one of the leaders of the HOD market in Spain, is mainly active in Barcelona. This acquisition enables Eden Springs to consolidate its position on the Spanish market and to introduce the Eden brand in Barcelona. Eden is now active in Madrid, Barcelona and Seville with additional cities to be opened soon.

Eden Springs takes over the activities of the Arkina brand of Feldschlösschen Beverage Group of Switzerland for the water cooler sector

Eden Springs, Swiss leader of the mineral water market delivered in 5 Gallon bottles (18,9 Litres) for fountains, takes over under the Eden brand, the Arkina water cooler activities, held today by the Feldschlösschen Beverage Group. In the French part of Switzerland, the take over of the Arkina clients by Eden will be immediately operational, this will happen end of October in the German part of Switzerland.

The Feldschlösschen Beverage Group has a portfolio of more than 1000 water coolers. In the perspective of the concentration of its activities, the Group decided to move out of this sector. This measure will in no case affect the employment at the Arkina Source in Yverdon.

Thanks to this acquisition, Eden Springs will be able to supply more than 10 000 clients throughout Switzerland, thus consolidating its leader position in the market. The Company has recently announced the acquisition of a natural mineral water source in Dorénaz (VS), thus allowing all clients to be supplied with a swiss mineral water. The group's Headquarter is based in Préverenges (VD) with distribution platforms in Bern, Bâle, Geneva, Lausanne and Zurich. Apart from Switzerland, the Eden Group is active and operational within 6 countries.

Eden Springs has acquired Aqua Viking clients, an HOD company located in North Eastern Poland

Aqua Viking is located in Szczecin market, the 7th largest city in Poland with a population of 450.000 inhabitants. The company adds 1200 clients to Eden's portfolio. Its employee count is 15 and its operations include a water source in the Wolinski National Park.

Aqua Viking's strong position in an area that is currently not served by Eden Poland reinforces its strong geographical market presence in Poland and adds an important city to its national presence.

Eden Springs has acquired Aqua Set, a regional HOD company located in Barcelona

With the acquisition of Aqua Set of Barcelona and the remaining shares acquisition of Aqua 2000 of Barcelona, Eden Springs is poised to lead the Barcelona HOD market. The Eden brand will be implemented as of early 2002 in the Barcelona market while the Spanish operations headquarters are located in Barcelona since 2000. With this move Eden Springs captures the no 1 position in Barcelona and is one of the top 3 HOD companies in Spain.

Eden Springs buys an additional company in Poland

Eden Springs has strengthened its position in Poland with the purchase of an additional company, Aqua Light. The deal was signed on Thursday, 24 February 2000 and included a transfer of 100% Aqua Light's shares to Eden Springs' Dutch subsidiary, which executed the purchase.

Eden Springs is the second largest company in Poland for the direct distribution of mineral water. Aqua Light is the third biggest company in this market and had a turnover volume of approximately 2.3 million dollars in 1999. Operating in the Polish market for the past eight years, it has 9,000 customers, most of which are businesses. The company has a water source and bottling plant in the Warsaw area.

Eden Springs Enters the Spanish Market

Eden Springs has acquired 25% of the shares of the Spanish company Aqua 2000, which deals in the marketing and distribution of mineral water to businesses and private homes. The deal signed last Friday by its subsidiary, Eden Spain, marks Eden Springs' entry into the Spanish market.

In addition, Eden Spain will handle all marketing and distribution of mineral water in Madrid and its surroundings for Aqua 2000. The agreement signed between the parties also includes put and call options on the remaining 75% of Aqua 2000's share capital.

Aqua Funds invests in Eden Springs

Eden Springs announced this morning that it has signed agreements with American Funds. The deal is worth 43 million dollars giving Eden Springs a net worth of 234 million dollars after the investment. The transaction was executed through two funds, Aqua Partners and Aqua Paradise.

According to Eden Springs, "The agreement will put Eden Springs in a comfortable position for increasing its market share in those European markets where it already operates and for entering new markets. Aqua Funds see great potential in Eden Springs with its high level professional management and continuous growth rate."

Eden France buys into Biosource SA

Eden Springs today signed an agreement through its fully owned subsidiary Eden France to purchase 50% of the share capital of Biosource SA. The latter is based in Toulouse, France and is considered to be the HOD bottled water market leader in southwest France. Eden Springs has its French headquarters in Lyon from which it plans to manage all of its activities in France.